December 21st

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:12

When a mother has a baby, she is not surprised when she has labor pains, having been forewarned by her doctor. The birth process is a prelude to a new and beautiful person created by God. The same could be applied to the sufferings of this life. They are a prelude to a new existence with Jesus Christ as Savior and King of the new heavens and a new earth forever.

Our Father God is full of extravagant and lavish love for those who believe on Jesus Christ as their Savior and choose to be part of His forever family. When we really love someone, we don’t just love them a little bit, we go to great lengths to demonstrate our love for them. This kind of love is designed to bring those who receive it deep joy and satisfaction. In the same way, suffering binds us together into a common understanding of the reason for the suffering, which is sharing in what Christ Jesus suffered for us to pay the penalty for our sin. Therefore, we are united in suffering and joy, which then unites us to the life of Christ, and we can more deeply experience His intimate love for us.